Dragnet *** (1987, Dan Aykroyd, Tom Hanks, Christopher Plummer, Harry Morgan) – Classic Movie Review 6177

Dan Aykroyd stars in and co-writes director Tom Mankiewicz’s amiable 1987 nostalgic film parody of Jack Webb’s great Fifties TV cop show (1951–1959) and 1954 movie Dragnet.

Aykroyd plays Sgt Joe Friday’s bumbling nephew, who is paired up with his new partner Pep Streebek (Tom Hanks) as they investigate the activities of a TV preacher, a pagan cult and porno magazine king suspected of running a crime ring.

Aykroyd’s take-off of Webb is hilarious, and the actor-friendly movie is led by the funny performances from the two very likeable stars, and from a fine gallery of support players. But, despite that, the broad laughs run out early on. However, the movie recovers for an amusing finish.

Harry Morgan, who played Webb’s partner Officer Bill Gannon on TV in the revived series Dragnet 1967 (1967–1970), reprises his character of Gannon, but he is now promoted to being the police captain.

The TV version makes minor edits for language and content (a naked topless lady) for family viewing.

Also in the cast are Christopher Plummer, Alexandra Paul, Jack O’Halloran, Elizabeth Ashley, Kathleen Freeman, Bruce Gray, Lenka Peterson and Dabney Coleman.

Aykroyd co-writes with Alan Zweibel and Tom Mankiewicz.

It did well to gross $57 million in the US on a budget of $20 million.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6177

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